Chapter 4 His voice hit me like a physical force . Hello ? I couldnt speak , couldnt breathe . The sound of him saying that one word sent shivers down my spine . Hello , Val . My name on his lips made my whole body freeze . His voice had changed deeper , more commanding , with an edge of steel that hadnt been there before . Gone was the carefree college boy Id known . This was a man who carried power in every syllable . H hello , I managed to whisper , the whiskey making my tongue feel thick and clumsy . Even drunk and broken , something about his voice made me want to sit up straighter , smooth my hair , be more than this mess Id become . Ive been waiting for you to call me . The words sliced through my alcohol induced haze like a knife . My hand gripped the phone tighter as a violent shudder ran through me . How could he have known ? Why would he have been waiting ? The implications of what hed just said crashed over me in waves , making my head spin even more than the whiskey had . What do you mean ? I whispered , my fingers trembling against the phone . He didnt answer my question . Are you okay ? Are you in trouble ? The concern in his voice broke something inside me . I opened my mouth to ask him how he knew , how he could possibly have guessed what was happening to me . The words died in my throat as doubt crept in . Was I making a mistake by calling him after all these years ? What right did I have to drag him into this mess ? But my body betrayed me before my mind could stop it . Yes , I choked out , as the first tears spilled down my cheeks . A sob tore from my chest , then another . All the pain , fear , and desperation Id been holding back came pouring out in gut wrenching cries . Stay right where you are . His voice had transformed , becoming low and lethal . The rage in it made me catch my breath . Im coming . He wasnt angry at me he was angry for me . The realization hit me hard , making me cry even harder into the phone . 11:49 Sun , 2 Mar ས ཱ 96 % ། I wiped my tears with shaking hands , staring numbly at my empty glass . The bar had cleared out , leaving just me and my misery . Even the bartender had given up , telling me it was closing time . I didnt move . A group of men sidled up to my corner of the bar , their leering faces making my skin crawl . Hey beautiful , why so sad ? One of them slurred , his breath reeking of cheap beer . Leave me alone . My voice came out weak , broken . Come on sweetheart , well show you a good time . Another one leaned in close . Pretty thing like you shouldnt be drinking alone . I turned away , but they circled closer . Their taunts grew cruder , more explicit . I shut my eyes , trying to block them out . What did it matter anymore ? I was already destroyed . Shes not responding . Maybe she needs some convincing . Rough fingers wrapped around my wrist , yanking me off the barstool . Youre coming with us , princess . The crack of gunfire split the air . The man screamed , releasing my arm as blood spurted from his hand . I spun around , heart pounding . A tall figure stood in the doorway , gun raised , radiating lethal fury . The overhead lights caught his face and my breath caught . Those fierce green eyes , that sharp jaw but so different from my memories . Gone was the carefree boy Id known . This man was dangerous , powerful , emanating an aura of barely contained violence . Lorenzo ? I whispered . His eyes locked onto mine for a split second before returning to the men , who had frozen in terror . He stepped forward , each movement predatory , controlled . I barely recognized him his body was broader , muscled , his stance that of a fighter . But it was the cold rage in his expression that truly transformed him . Lorenzo stepped forward , his movements fluid and deadly . One of the men stumbled backward , knocking over a barstool . Listen carefully , Lorenzos voice dropped to a whisper that made my blood run cold . I will peel the skin from your bodies inch by inch . Ill keep you alive as I feed your flesh to rabid dogs . Then Ill hunt down every person youve ever loved and make them suffer the same fate while you watch . Your screams Chapter 4 2/3 12.29 11:49 Sun , 2 Mar will echo through my dungeon for weeks before I grant you death . K 96 % B The color drained from their faces . They scrambled over each other in their rush to escape , nearly breaking down the door in their panic . Lorenzos eyes raked over me , taking in my too thin frame , the fading bruises Id tried to hide with makeup , my trembling hands . His jaw clenched so hard I heard his teeth grind . The rage that crossed his face made me shrink back instinctively . That bastard , he snarled . He raised his gun and fired five shots into the ceiling , the sound deafening in the empty bar . Plaster rained down as his chest heaved with barely contained fury . Then , as quickly as the storm had come , it passed . His expression softened as he looked at me . He holstered his weapon and held out his hand . Im here now , he said softly , his fingers wrapping around mine . 49 Sun , 2 Mar Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!